1847 — Page 107

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO. BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Reference :--

4

36

Middleux, 2.7. The proportion of deaths throughout. England and Wales, in 1839, wons 2.1 per cent,

M

crearly double that of the Island of Kongkong

in 1847, whose insalubrity has biew the theme of

uncòcial invective..

There

can

be

no doubt that the

first colonization of this I land was attended.

with disastrous consequences to

and soldiers; and the

Fever is

any

our

ravages of

countrymen the Hongkong

opinion a modified_ form of

Cholera - were as

fearful.

as similar visitations

have been in other parts of the world. The

idea of this fearful epidemic being, the product

of of malaria, from "decomposing granite, is founded. - ignorance of both Chemistry and Geology

on ast

It is

#

much more reasonable to ascribe it to the influence of an atmosphere which had never been subjected to the purifying influence of civilization, and- animal recpiration; to the unprotected state of the inhabitants; and the physical exchauction of the soldiers after a long campaign,

in a

burning sun, and undrained swampy

157

98

country. Since these times, the Merchants and others have protected their owns healths and those comployed by them, by houses constructed swithout regard to

expense in a manner in

every respects calculated

to counteract the injurious influences of the climate, The ground on which they stand has been perfectly drained, and thus these princely, edifices have. contributed in a great degree to the general salubrity of Houglong. The soldiers, too, often the sources of epidemics, have become here remarkable for their healthfulness; and this improvement is to be ascribed in a great measure, if not entirely, to

the magnificent construction of the barracks, and Hospital, which will remain as lasting, monuments to the ability, liberality, and efficiency of the military Government of Major General D'Aquilar and his staff "Young, any predecessor in office, me that all diseases in the Colony, have appeared during the last year,

informes

lis ar

mitigated form, and their prevailing character